When to plant in Arcata, CA
USDA Zone 9bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Arcata, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
With about 288 frost-free days, Arcata supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. Zone 9b is warm enough that Arcata can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
The average last spring frost in Arcata is now 7 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
EUREKA WFO WOODLEY ISLAND · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Arcata’s own odds, recorded at EUREKA WFO WOODLEY ISLAND.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 22 | Apr 1 | Mar 1 | Oct 25 | Nov 12 | Dec 4 |
| 32°F | Mar 23 | Feb 22 | Dec 31 | Nov 15 | Dec 7 | Jan 11 |
| 28°F | Feb 8 | Jan 3 | Dec 11 | Dec 3 | Dec 25 | Jan 29 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Arcata, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 42 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Arcata planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Arcata, CA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Arcata around February 22 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Arcata, CA?
Expect Arcata's first fall frost near December 7 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Arcata in?
Arcata is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Arcata?
There are roughly 288 frost-free days in Arcata (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around February 22 to the first fall frost near December 7.
When should I plant tomatoes in Arcata?
In Arcata, start tomato seeds indoors around December 28–January 11, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 1 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Arcata
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Arcata’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Eureka · 10 km
- McKinleyville · 10 km
- Fortuna · 31 km
- Shasta Lake · 144 km
- Redding · 148 km
- Anderson · 157 km
- Red Bluff · 173 km
- Grants Pass · 185 km
Frost dates recorded at EUREKA WFO WOODLEY ISLAND, 9 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Arcata, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00024213. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/arcata.